HI, I'm planning to buy an external soundcard for my laptop. I want to use it as a high quality source for my home hifi system. Just stereo is needed.
Wich one would you recommend
-Terratec Phase 26 USB 24/96
-Terratec Phase 24 Firewire 24/192
-Midiman Audiophile USB
-...
Good drivers would be nice,
Greetings, Wim

Is that all you want if for? Are you using digital or analog outs - what's the next component in the connection? Is your music 16/44 only or do you have some hi-res stuff?

Hi.
-I only will be using the analog outputs.
-The next component would be my NAD stereo amplifier.
-All my music is 16/44 only.
-)basically it would just be a cd-player replacement, because all my music is on my HD and on DVD's in ape and mpc.
So good quality 16/44 comparable with good cd-players would be the goal.

The audiophile seems more suitable than the phase 26, as it has rca plugs and fewer things you don't need (surround sound, microphone preamp). The phase 24 is new - presumably the balanced connections would also work as unbalanced. It should be fine, but isn't designed for your situation and is pretty expensive. I would consider the audiophile or a card with digital out and a separate dac.